British Red Cross to honour Stephen Fry with fundraising event in aid of Somalia

British Red Cross to honour Stephen Fry with fundraising event in aid of Somalia-Stephen Fry to receive the Freedom of the City of London

Stephen Fry will be honoured in front of his family and friends at a glittering fundraising event marking his distinguished career. Guest speakers will include Richard Curtis CBE, creator of “Blackadder”, comedian Jo Brand and illusionist Derren Brown. Musical performances will come from pianist James Rhodes and West End star Ellen Greene.

The British Red Cross will pay tribute to the actor, writer and presenter at a special gala dinner taking place at the City of London’s Guildhall next Thursday 29 September 2011. During a ceremony before the event, Stephen Fry will receive the Freedom of the City of London, which is the highest honour the City of London can bestow. He was nominated by the Red Cross International Fundraising Committee, in recognition of his career and humanitarianism in supporting a variety of causes and inspiring his millions of followers to do the same.

Maria Shammas MBE, Chairman of the British Red Cross International Fundraising Committee, said:

“The British Red Cross is delighted to be paying tribute to one of the most finest and outstanding English actors of our time. It will be a truly amazing evening where we will be joined by family, friends and colleagues of Stephen Fry to pay tribute to him whilst raising money for those most affected by the terrible famine in Somalia.”

Money raised from the event will help to fund the work the British Red Cross is supporting in Somalia. Millions of people have been affected by drought and conflict, with many thousands of women and children severely malnourished and in need of urgent help.

So far the Red Cross has donated more than £3m to Somalia and Kenya. It is being spent on millions of kilos of food including cereals, pulses, corn and Plumpy’nut - a blend of peanut butter, powdered milk, sugar and vegetable oil fortified with vitamins and minerals for malnourished children.

The gala event will take place in the Livery Hall, Guildhall at 7.30pm

ENDS

Notes to editors

There will be spaces for a very small number of photographers only on the night. To apply please email Laura Hinks at lhinks@redcross.org.uk

The International Fundraising Committee, chaired by Maria Shammas MBE has been in existence for the past 16 years. The Committee has raised tens of millions of pounds for the international work of the British Red Cross, for global projects and disasters.

The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies.

We enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them to recover and move on with their lives.